The Washington critic., 1887-08-12
ENVOY.
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The first employment of women In
the Government service at Washing
ton, so far as any record is kept of 1t,
says Webb in the Boston JoHrHdl, was
in the Land Onice in President Pierce's
time, when the copying of land war.
rants was given out TO women to take to
their bones. This was, however, not
done openly. The work was nomi.
nally given to some male relative of
the family. In Buchanan's time this
was stopped, but toward the latter part
of Buchanan's Administration the first
woman clerk was appointed in the
Treasury. 1t was n temporary expert.
ment and in disguise. The woman
who was appointed was the wife of an
efficient clerk who was taken Ill. To
permit her to support the family she
was allowed to take the desk, and per-
formed the work better than her hus.
band did. Without any law or regua-
tion, the system of the employment Of
women clerks gradually grew up In
the Treasury until, when Mr.. Nc.
Culloch became Secretary of the
Treasury, he complained that there
were "too many tcapots'' in the build.
ing. They could be seen on almost
every window.led General Spinner
was one of the strongest friends of the
employment of women in the Depart.
ments. lie is quoted as saying "a
woman can use scissors better than
man, and she will do it cheaper. |
want to employ women to cut the
Treasury notes." and he did. From
that time on the employment of
women In the Government service was
established.
~
How George Balm, jr., of st. Louis
was saved from drowning at Shelter
Island, not long ago, by Miss Nina
Matthews, is thus related by the Globe
Democrut Mr.. Balm, it will be remem-
bered, was correspondent here last
winter, and Is well known on News.
paper Row. The CD. says: The
central figure of the occurrence is Miss
Nina Matthews, daughter of Mr..
Leonard Matthews of st. Louis, who
has for some time been visiting at Shell
ter Island. Very fond of the water, she
had been In the surf great deal, and a
couple of weeks ago saved another
bather from drowning, "A week ago
last Saturday she performed another
service of the same character, the per.
son saved being Mr.. George Balm, jr.,
of this city. There were large
number Of bathers in the water,
and all were enjoying themselves
very much, when Miss Matthews
looked out over the surf and saw
gentleman evidently in distress, and
saw him sink. Watching for him to
come up, she saw very plainly that he
was struggling, and, striking out for
him, caught him just as he came up
after sinking the second time. She Gu.
deavored to hold him until assistance
could arrive, but he had caught such
firm hold on her arm that, despite her
efforts, he sank again, taking her under
also. Retaining her hold ON him, she
began treading water, and thus man.
aged to keep him up until a Mr.. Jafr.
reys Of New York, and Mr.. Pope, a
son of Mr.. W. S. Pope of st. Louis
came to her assistance, when Mr.. Balm
was taken out of the water and resusci-
tated. Miss Matthews is diminutive
little lady, and learned to swim at her
fathers country residence, near st.
Louis. Mr.. Matthews has an elegant
place for bathing there, and his friends
say has recognized the advantages
of being able to swim; that he has
persisted as a teacher until all of
his children can swim like fish. His
method was to row ahead of them,
with a rope over the stern of the boat,
until acquiring confidence in them.
selves they would boldly strike out
alone In the deepest waters. The
summer residents of Shelter Island,
and particularly of the Manhansett
House, where Mrs. Daughaday and
party are stopping, are enthusiastic
over Miss Matthews brave acts and
have had an elegant testimonial pre-
pared for her In New York.
Maryland seems to be famous for
great men with yearning for baseball,
says Austin of the Cincinnati Times-
star. Senator jackson, the Demo
cratic nominee for Governor of Mary.
land, used to be as fond as Senator
German of playing baseball. In his
younger days there was famous
club In the county, and its heavy hit.
tiers were the terror of the pitchers of
all the other peninsula clubs. Senator
jackson was one Of the outflelders and
good batter. Whenever the subject
of modern baseball is conversation Ia
Salisbury now some old citizen is sure
TO tell the tradition of how the heavy
hitters Of the WiComico Club did so
much slugging In game with the Do.
yer Club, that one of the Dover out
fielders sent home for his horse aud
carriage so that he could keep up with
the ball. Senator Jackson was one Of
the heavy hitters on that occasion.
~
Says contributor to the courier.
JOurHdl! Since the recent death of en-.
Senator r. NJ. 4. Hunter of Virginia
Senator Reagan of Texas and eX Gov.
ernor T. II. Watts of Alabama are the
only surviving members of Mr.. Davis
Cabinet Reagan was Postmaster
General and Watts Attorney General.
At Montgomery, Ala, there was a
secret session of the Cabinet to see
whether we should lombard Fort
sumter. Toombs was then Secretary
OF State, and was regarded as the most
rash, headstrong and violent man in
the Confederacy. While In the pres.
ence of Mr.. Davis, the balance of the
Cabinet gave their opinions In favor of